Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) Scotland has announced a new conference that will explore sustainable solutions to the challenges Scottish agriculture is facing.

The ‘Farm to Fork – a new, sustainable perspective’ conference will take place on 23 March at Bowhouse in Fife, hosted by RBST in partnership with Balcaskie Estate. Expert speakers and delegates will consider and discuss key challenges and opportunities in the transition to a future for Scottish farming where environmental sustainability goes hand in hand with food production.

The programme will feature high profile expert speakers and panellists including Christopher Price (RBST), Ceri Ritchie (SAC Consulting), David McKay (Soil Association), Prof Tim Morris (RBST), Johnnie Balfour (Pasture Fed Livestock Association), Roger Baird (Scottish Organic Producers Association), Adam Forrest (Scotland Food & Drink), with more speakers to be announced soon. See the programme for the day at rbstscotland.org/rbst-scotland-spring-conference.

RBST’s Martin Beard

Martin Beard, RBST Vice President Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to announce the RBST Scotland Farm to Fork conference, which will take place on 23rd March 2023 at the fantastic Bowhouse food hub in Fife. Changes to policy direction and consumer trends will increasingly require Scottish agriculture to put environmental sustainability at the core of food production, and it is vital that we identify the best sustainable solutions for the challenges we face. RBST Scotland believes that our native breeds of farm livestock can play a crucial part in finding those solutions.

“The conference programme will allow us to explore together themes ranging from soil health, carbon and biodiversity to marketing and future-proofing Scottish farming. As well as expert knowledge and valuable insights from the speakers and panellists, there will be opportunities for discussion and debate.

“In 2023 we are marking the 50th anniversary of RBST’s formation, and examining the coming decades for Scottish farming by coming together at the Farm to Fork conference is particularly fitting. This is a definitive event for anyone with an interest in a sustainable and profitable future for agriculture in Scotland, tickets are now open and I recommend booking your place early so that you don’t miss out.”

The event will be chaired by Claire Saunders, RBST Trustee and Chair of RBST’s Conservation & Research Committee. The conference sessions will cover six main themes:

  • Future proofing farming: looking to 2040
  • Soil: rebuilding fertility
  • Biodiversity: reclaiming the balance
  • Carbon: the way forward
  • The livestock food chain: room for improvement
  • Farmers as marketers: adding value

The conference will run from 9am to 5pm on 23rd March, followed by a drinks reception until 6pm. Tickets are £30 + VAT and can be booked at https://rbstscotland.org/conference-tickets

For more information visit rbstscotland.org/rbst-scotland-spring-conference.

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